MakerBot, the 3D-printing company, has unveiled the "iTunes" of 3D printing as part of its new line-up of 3D printing technology.

The game-changing new MakerBot digital store features a host of professionally designed digital 3D models, created by an in-house team at MakerBot, made to be simple and easy to purchase and print with one-touch.

"3D printing can be a bit daunting from the outside, so we've created all these 3D designs that you can buy individual models or as a collection – a bit like songs – and create fun for kids and adults alike," said Bre Pettis, co-founder and chief executive of MakerBot.

Previously MakerBot offered a cloud-based design sharing service called Thingiverse, which allowed users to upload their designs and share them with a community and access them from anywhere with a MakerBot 3D printer.

Professional, proven designs

The new digital store sits alongside the Thingiverse service, augmenting it with professional, proven designs that are guaranteed to work, and launches with six different collections of models primarily based around children's toys.

The models can be picked up individually for $0.99 or as whole collections of models for $9.99 and include mini characters spanning every day life, construction, dragons, knights, kings and queens, as well as little pet animals for the kids.

For adults, the model collection also includes a series of rocket ships and "famous flyers" – models inspired by key real-life aircraft from history.

'Learn what people like, and do more of that'

The key to the launch is that MakerBot will use the digital store to find out what works and what doesn't collecting data on purchases and user feedback on the models.

"Our objective is simple. We're going to learn by what people like, and do more of that," explained Pettis.

MakerBot also unveiled three new 3D printers the form part of the new MakerBot Replicator 3D printing platform, including a smaller, cheaper and easier to use MakerBot Replicator Mini aimed at the mass market.

"We took all the feedback from users and put pencil to paper to create our consumer 3D printer built for speed and ease of use," said Pettis.

The big selling point of the MakerBot Mini, which is the fifth generation 3D printer from MakerBot, is its one-touch system. I has only one button, which kickstarts the printing process – everything else is controlled by automated software.

Despite being aimed at the consumer, the price may still be prohibitive for many as the Replicator Mini will cost $1,375 once it is available in spring, making it a significant purchase for most households.

The next step for 3D printing is widely thought to be all about moving towards more functional objects that users can actually download and print – something MakerBot has clearly realised and has targeted with its digital store.

"3D printing is one of those rare cases where technology has surpassed design thinking," said Jesse Harrington Au, maker product manager at AutoDesk. "3D modelling is the key to the next step in the evolution of 3D printing."

With its new digital store and consumer friendly Replicator Mini, MakerBot is following a similar path to that of Apple and its iPod and iTunes combination. It has created a simplified and streamlined experience for consuming content and producing objects, as well as another revenue stream for the company – MakerBot is clearly attempting to make its 3D printer the "iPod" of the 3D printing world.

MakerBot also unveiled a "prosumer" 3D printer, the new Replicator with more advanced features similar in scope to those found on traditional 2D paper printers and a larger build volume than the Replicator Mini. It will cost $2,899 and become available in February.

MakerBot's third new printer, the Replicator Z18, is a professional printer aimed at industrial designers with a very large 12x12x18in build volume. It will be big enough to create full-size 3D printed helmets among other things, costing $6,499 from Spring 2014.